How did Gabon’s Constitutional Court rule on Jean Ping’s challenge to the 2016 election?

In September 2016, Jean Ping filed a legal challenge with the Constitutional Court regarding the results of the presidential election. Two weeks later, the court ruled to uphold the victory of incumbent president Ali Bongo.12

As part of its decision, the court canceled the results from 21 polling stations. Rather than favoring the challenger, this adjustment served to increase Bongo’s lead over Ping, resulting in a final tally of 50.66 percent for Bongo and 47.24 percent for Ping. Ping rejected the court’s ruling, and the international community expressed concern over the proceedings, but Bongo was subsequently sworn in for his second term on September 27, 2016.12